Recently, I talked about why it’s important to choose your words wisely when writing item titles, descriptions and tags. I first reviewed some basic vocabulary–terms you need to understand when you think about your listings. Next, I emphasized the value of selecting good keywords and directed you to Google’s keyword tool for assistance in making those selections. I concluded the series with an explanation of the need to write for both humans and search engines in order to have your items found. Today, I’d like to take another look at buyer intent and identify some do’s and don’ts when it comes to your text.
Buyer intent refers to those words and phrases that someone shopping for your item will use when conducting a search. You need to figuratively ‘get inside the head’ of your target audience when selecting keywords for an item. Google’s keyword tool is based on actual searches conducted by ‘real people’ looking for information on the web. Using this tool can take a lot of the guesswork out of keyword selection–learn to use it!
Avoid the use of extravagantly creative titles. While “Standing at the Water’s Edge by Moonlight Jewelry Set” sounds extremely romantic, a better title for a handmade crystal necklace and earring set would probably be something more along the lines of “Handmade Crystal Necklace and Earring Set”. Why? Unless a shopper already knows the name of your item and is looking specifically for it online, how many shoppers would you estimate will search for “Standing at the Water’s Edge by Moonlight Jewelry Set”? To answer that question, check it out using Google’s keyword tool.
Repeat the title of your item in your description. Spend your first paragraph describing the item using keyword phrases that people will be searching for. Include background information later in the description while you reserve the beginning for the all important keywords. You want to have your items found don’t you?
I recommend that you include your location in your description somewhere as well as your name, your shop name and the word Zibbet. As you, your shop and Zibbet become more well known online, the more important this information will become in searches. You can help develop the future by building this information into your descriptions now!
Zibbet allows you to include up to fifteen tags per item. A tag can be a word or a phrase but can only include alphanumeric characters. Include your keyword phrases. However, it really isn’t wise to repeat the same words as tags. For example, I like to include the title of each item as my first tag. If the item’s title is “Cream Crocheted Flower Top Hat” and I’ve included it as a tag, I really don’t need to include “crocheted hat” as a tag or the word “cream” as a tag by itself because those words and phrases are already included within what I’ll call my ‘title tag’. And by all means, don’t waste your tags on words such as ‘pretty’, ‘beautiful’ or ‘glamorous’. Again, think about descriptors that are unique to your item AND that you think people looking for your item will be searching for.
Next week, I’ll take a look at some strategies for placing your items in Zibbet’s category/ subcategory hierarchy for maximum search exposure.
Best wishes for much success on Zibbet!
Vicki is committed to assisting her fellow Zibbeters improve their shops for successful online selling. She is the owner of five Zibbet shops: LOC Design Studio, Denim and Pearls, A Stitch and a Prayer, Black Creek Crossing and Think Like a Fish. You can follow Vicki on Twitter and through her LOC Design Studio blog.
Tags: Buyer Intent, Description, Item Title, Keyword, search, Success on Zibbet, Tag, Wise Search Preparation
